Aviation Technical Services To Create 500 Mo. Jobs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Gov. Jay Nixon today welcomed Aviation Technical Services (www.atsmro.com[1]) to Missouri at the company’s new facility in Kansas City. ATS is one of North America’s largest third-party aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul providers. The company, headquartered in the state of Washington, is expanding its operations and locating a facility at Kansas City International Airport, where they plan to create more than 500 new jobs over the next three to five years.

“It’s great to be back in Kansas City with more good news for the region’s growing economy,” said Gov. Nixon. “Just as ATS builds its workforce here in Kansas City, we are building a future for Missouri in which every student graduates ready to compete for the best jobs, and where our low taxes and highly skilled workforce continue to attract those jobs to our state.”

ATS was founded in 1970 in Everett, Wash., with only five employees. Since then, the company has grown to become one of the largest suppliers of airframe maintenance in the world, with more than 1,000 workers supporting a global customer base.

“We’re very excited to be expanding to Kansas City,” said Matt Yerbic, President and CEO of ATS. “Joining this established and well-known aerospace community will allow us to launch operations quickly in order to support the growing needs of our customers.”

The company’s Kansas City facility will be its first location outside the state of Washington. Expanding to Missouri will put Aviation Technical Services closer to some of its largest customers, allowing it to improve customer service and expand its client base. Additionally, Kansas City is home to an international airport and an established aviation department which will provide Aviation Technical Services competitive advantages and opportunities for future growth.

“I'm honored to be a part of this first chapter of ATS' story in Kansas City,” said Mayor Sly James. “ATS had many options for its expansion and they chose our city because of the momentum we've established. I'm excited to work with ATS to keep that momentum going.”

The company will move into an existing facility at KCI. Renovations are expected to begin in February and the facility is expected to begin operating in April. Last October, the state’s economic development team and local partners visited the company’s headquarters to discuss opportunities for expansions in Kansas City.

“This project is a true testament to the strong partnership we have with the state and to the abundant resources Missouri has to offer to the aviation and aerospace industry,” Mark VanLoh, City of Kansas City, Missouri, Director of Aviation. “Through our participation in state-organized trade activities, we have gained recognition and are able to attract global companies, like Aviation Technical Services, to Kansas City.”

To assist Aviation Technical Services with its expansion, the Department of Economic Development and the City of Kansas City have authorized a strategic economic incentive package that the company can receive if it meets strict job creation and investment criteria. The Platte County Economic Development Council, the Kansas City Area Development Council, and the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City also participated in making this announcement possible.

Aviation Technical Services, headquartered in the state of Washington, is expanding its operations and locating a facility at Kansas City International Airport, where they plan to create more than 500 new jobs over the next three to five years.

Aviation Technical Services, headquartered in the state of Washington, is expanding its operations and locating a facility at Kansas City International Airport, where they plan to create more than 500 new jobs over the next three to five years.